PHILLIES: Hamels the bright light of poor Grapefruit debut

Philadelphia Phillies' Cole Hamels pitches during the first inning of an exhibition spring training baseball game against the Houston Astros, Saturday, Feb. 23, 2013, in Clearwater, in Fla. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

CLEARWATER, Fla. — Cole Hamels kicked off the Grapefruit League season for the Phillies with two neat innings of work that barely required a sweat, even with a stiff breeze carrying balls to left field with authority.

It was one of the few highlights of an otherwise clunky, 7-2 loss to the Houston Astros at Bright House Field Saturday, one with too many errors by suspect fielders and strikeouts by Ryan Howard for those skeptical of the 2013 Phils.

There will plenty of other chances for those needing to prove themselves to do so this spring. As for Hamels, there aren’t many men handed a $144 million contract who seem as assured to make good on that nine-figure promise as him.

While nothing is official, all signs point to the left-hander throwing the first pitch of the regular season April 1 against the Braves. If he does, it will be the first Opening Day start of a big-league career that has been good enough for Roy Halladay to remark that a Hamels start in Game 1 of 162 is long overdue.

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It might seem to be a big deal to some, but Hamels considers the Game 1 nods he got in every postseason series of 2008 to be far more important.

“I’ve never really thought about it,” he said. “It’s one game, one appearance and then you’re back into the normal baseball atmosphere. I’ve never really looked at it as this big sort of ordeal. I’ve always valued the playoffs.

“When you have to lead off the playoff game and a series, I think that’s pretty important. I think that’s kind of where it’s at. If you do get that honor, you just go out and stick to business and try to win a ballgame.”

Since closer Jonathan Papelbon made comments about the void of leadership among the players last season, every veteran player has been asked for his perspective on the issue. Hamels took his turn Saturday, agreeing with Papelbon’s assessment as well as that of Halladay, who pointed to Hamels as ready to take the torch among the pitching staff.

“Last year I wasn’t fulfilling my end of the bargain either. We are all guilty,” Hamels said. “We all have to step up and take a role and a presence in this team and get back to what we’re capable of doing, which is winning.

“There are different styles of leadership. I think that has been the case in the past (few) years, our vocal leaders have gone to different teams. But our leaders on the field are here, and we were kind of missing that last year. We were missing our leaders on the field, then we didn’t have anyone who really was a vocal leader. So we have to step up and be able to do it. It’s the time to do it.

“When you’re not able to accomplish your goals, things have to change. You can’t go in that vicious circle and think things will just keep going (well). You have to interrupt the loop and make the change in a positive way and for the best.”

Pitching coach Rich Dubee believes Hamels has the capability of taking on a mentor’s role in the grooming of young pitchers, starters and relievers alike.

“Cole is kind of the senior citizen as far as years (with the organization) and stuff,” Dubee said. “He’s matured tremendously ... And I think starting to take a little more responsibility in the action of other players and lending a little guidance is very important.”